Method and system for selective deactivation of a main display

Abstract

A system ( 130 ) and method ( 500 ) of operating a main display ( 301 ) in a radio ( 300 ) can monitoring ( 502 ) a use characteristic of the radio. Such use characteristics being monitored can include use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle ( 303 ) of the radio, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status). The method can further selectively deactivate ( 504 ) the main display based on the use characteristic. In one example, the radio can selectively deactivate ( 508 ) the display or backlights when the flip portion is opened to answer the incoming call. The main display (or backlight) can also be selectively activated ( 510 ) upon a user button selection if a user desires such activation.

1 . A method of operating a main display in a communication device, comprising the steps of: 
 monitoring a use characteristic of the communication device; and    selectively deactivating the main display based on the use characteristic.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the use characteristic is selected from use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle of the radio, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device selectively transitions dynamically from an activated display to a deactivated display or from the activated display to the deactivated upon a change in the use characteristic.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the use characteristic is a status of a flip position of a flip portion of the communication device or an angle or position of the communication device and a status of an incoming call.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of selectively deactivating the main displays occurs upon the opening of the flip portion to answer the incoming call.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises the step of selectively activating the main display upon a user action.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises monitoring a user's habits in turning off the main display during a particular use characteristic and prompting the user to offer to automatically turn off the main display when the particular use characteristic occurs.  
     
     
         8 . A user interface on a communication device, comprising: 
 a main display on the communication device;    a processor coupled to the display, wherein the processor is programmed to: 
 monitor a use characteristic of the communication device; and  
 selectively deactivate the main display based on the use characteristic.  
   
     
     
         9 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein the use characteristic is selected from use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle of the communication device, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status.  
     
     
         10 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein the communication device selectively transitions dynamically from an activated display to a deactivated display or from the deactivated display to the activated display upon a change in the use characteristic.  
     
     
         11 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein the use characteristic is a status of a flip position of a flip portion of the communication device or an angle or position of the communication device and a status of an incoming call.  
     
     
         12 . The user interface of  claim 11 , wherein the communication device deactivates the main display upon the opening of the flip portion to answer the incoming call.  
     
     
         13 . The user interface of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface further comprises at least one button and the communication device is further programmed to selectively activate the main display after deactivation upon a user button selection.  
     
     
         14 . The user interface of  claim 8 , wherein the use interface monitors a user's habits in turning off the main display during a particular use characteristic and prompts the user to offer to automatically turn off the main display when the particular use characteristic occurs.  
     
     
         15 . A wireless communication device, comprising: 
 a main display;    a transceiver; and    a processor coupled to the display and the transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: 
 monitor a use characteristic of the wireless communication device; and  
 selectively deactivate the main display based on the use characteristic.  
   
     
     
         16 . The wireless communication device of  claim 15 , wherein the use characteristic is selected from use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle of the radio, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status.  
     
     
         17 . The wireless communication device of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless communication device selectively transitions dynamically from an activated display to a deactivated display or from the deactivated display to the activated display upon a change in the use characteristic.  
     
     
         18 . The wireless communication device of  claim 16 , wherein the use characteristic is a status of a flip position of a flip portion of the wireless communication device or an angle or position of the wireless communication device and a status of an incoming call.  
     
     
         19 . The wireless communication device of  claim 18 , wherein the wireless communication device deactivates the main display upon the opening of the flip portion to answer the incoming call.  
     
     
         20 . The wireless communication device of  claim 19 , wherein wireless communication device further comprise a user interface further having at least one button and the wireless communication device is further programmed to selectively activate the main display after deactivation upon a user button selection.